Friday, November 30, 2007
Dragon Fly Motorcycle- PART 2
Insect Update
A few days ago I posted a conception sketch for the dragon fly ninja motorcycle. Today I want to make an update post on how the dragonfly bike is coming along.
Also, in case you missed my 5 simple steps to becoming an airbrush artist post, please check that out as well.
Illusion Blush Pearl
After showing off our conception sketch to our customer, we talked colors. This sea foam illusion color, which changes from green to bronze was the insect color of choice. We did a test mock tank, as you can see at the top of this post. We also ran a number of candies and illusion pearls in the wings to give them a transparent yet morphing quality. It is hard to explain with only one photo, but the colors of the wings change in each section from one color to another. The mock tank is only 15", which will mean the wings end result on our bike will be approximately three times as large.
Segments on the Body
Once the base coat was applied, I went ahead and airbrushed the dark segments breaking up the front fender, back fender and tank as you can see below. Keep in mind, all work here is uncleared and therefore not nearly as shiny and impressive as it will be once final cleared & buffed out.
Next step
Over lunch today, we gave our customer the mock tank and he approved our wing desing. Now we are cutting our designs for the ferrings, and will begin to layout the wing design to be shot on Monday. The other parts of the bike are sanded and ready for final clear.
see other airbrush blogs: WWII Air Battle, or see 5 steps to become an airbrush artist & also Dragon Fly bike PART ONE
to see other airbrush work by me see our gallery at: Billy and the Old Man Design
Monday, November 26, 2007
5 Simple Steps to become an Airbrush artist
A few years ago I had never touched an airbrush. Now I paint murals on custom motorcycles and other projects for my new airbrushing company Billy and the Old Man Design. In the recent year I have been asked many times for tips on how to become an airbrush artist, here is my 5 step answer:
Step 1: Buy an airbrush & compressor
I prefer artist grade Iwata airbrushes, however there are a number of less expensive guns that are suitable especially for a hobby level committment. If you are planning to upgrade to a professional skill you will want to buy the best gun you can afford, it makes avery big difference. Compressors are less important and should fit the location you will be shooting out of. Keep in mind some compressors can be very loud.
Step 2: Set up a shop/area
Makes sure you have decent ventilation and a large enough area to set your objects to be painted. Overspray can easily get in electronic devices & appliances, so keep them covered or move them from the room.
Step 3: Find a mentor
Depending on your art background a mentor can be as simple as someone to show you the ins and outs of an airbrush gun. You can watch how-to DIY videos until you are blue in the face, but unless you have someone who has some experience standing next to you, there will be countless problems with overspray, bleeding, spitting, adhesion ect. All these problems can be simply answered and corrected with a few key tips and insights.
Step 4: Paint
Depending on your final project, you may want automotive paint(for motorcycles, signs or cars), waterbased paint (for canvas, fine art) or make-up based paint (for bodypainting, special effects). I use Xotic Colours for all my automotive work and prefer its quality above all other paints.
Step 5: Study & Practice
Youtube and other video sharing sites have a number of helpful airbrush teaching videos, as well as online walkthroughs. There are also a good deal of great DVDs or books available as guides. I would highly suggest Craig Frasier's videos, especially his mural videos. Again, YouTube and internet walk-throughs are the cheap and easy way to learn. Then practice practice practice. The more tips and tricks you can learn, and apply to your graphic or artwork the faster you will go from novice to master.
If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy: Dragon Fly bike
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Robo Pee Pees and VayJays
If you have not already noticed: the artists of the world (musicians, visual artists, poets, & writers) are embracing the technological world. The examples of such are too many to even list. Robots, to many, have become the perfect symbol for the growing impending technological advances of our culture.
Robo Pee Pees and VayJays
Here are some brand new robot prints featuring some very impressive robot designs. I personally enjoy the plug and socket genitalia. Goad is the artist.
In Goad We Trust
Goad is an artist with an incredibly refined style. I have purchased one of his past sketchbooks and was extremely impressed with his drawing style. I keep track of him on myspace and often visit his personal site: www.ingoadwetrust.com
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
7 reasons why Cloud Cult should be your new favorite band
1. They Paint Live on stage
In fact, their live show is one of the best I have ever seen. Locally, only the Stnng is anywhere near as entertaining (and i prefer Cloud Cult's music overall). Scott West and Connie Minowa both play music in the band but also PAINT LIVE ONSTAGE! The works are typically sold by auction after the show. The paintings are really impressive to watch being created and being a visual artist myself, are really impressive stand alone works. As if you did not already have tons to look at with a full stage of six members, some who play up to 5 different instruments over the course of the show the painting just add that touch of brilliance to their live show.
2. Green Friendly
Every CD is made with recycled materials. The band would rather not exist than leave a negative impact on the earth. Craig and Connie live together on an organic farm.Craig is also currently an environmental scientist. The band even built their entire studio out of found materials, please see #8 for more info about how incredible globally conscious this band is. It is extremely commendable.
3. Their Music
Currently, six musicians play over 8 different instruments to create a very monumental sound. Lead singer, Craig Minowa has a voice and the overall sound has a very Modest Mouse flavor. Meanwhile, each song has an epic arch and I think every member of the band does vocals in some or multiple songs, which adds impact to certain lyrics especially when all 8 are hitting the words together.
4. Minnesota
Damn right. Local boys (and girls). Cloud Cult is a Minnesota based band and proud of it, and therefore I am proud of it as well. No cheesy Fargo accents either.
5. Subject Matter
This is a heartbreaking reason, but the lead singer Craig Minowa and his wife (visual artist & musician) Connie Minowa lost their two year old son in the night a few year ago. Craig, being the main songwriter for the band (possibly the only songwriter) focused subject matter on the very emotional loss of his son. While the songs are depressing in nature they are oddly uplifting and motivating. To know that they went through such a devastating loss, and be able to turn it into beautiful music is a wonderful skill. During the year following his son's death Craig wrote over 100 songs while the band barely hung together.
6. The Meaning of 8
The new CD "The Meaning of 8" is phenomenal. I do admit I do not own it yet, its in the mail on the way to me right now. However, during their concert I witnessed last week they played a number of the new songs and every single one of them blew me away. I do own "Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus" which another mega impressive CD which I highly recommend to anyone, and I am even more excited about "The Meaning of 8". Buy "The Meaning of 8" or their other great albums online at Cloud Cult's homepage
7. MTV
This video should explain the rest: Helping the environment with Cloud Cult.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Free printable mazes from 4 great websites!
Day 160
I am friends with Warren Stokes who owns A-MAZE-ING.com. On linked in I saw his post to the Maze A Day blog. These are incredible mazes. You should check them out. Plus a new one each day!
Labyrinth
Some of the most difficult mazes I have attempted in a while. Very expertly crafted for diffiulty, and extremely well designed. I am a big fan of this type of very engrossing mazes. See more at:
Astrolog Maze's
Team of Monkeys
Team of Monkeys has a great variety of really cool printable mazes for you to complete. I really like the originality of these mazes. Exceptional stuff.
Portrait of Three Girls
Details
Three Sisters, arcylic on canvas, 18 X 24"
Portrait
One of the best parts of the holiday season for myself as an artist is commissioned paintings. Usually by the end of December I am burnt out and tired of doing them, but I always enjoy the first few. This portrait of three sisters is my first holiday comission of 2007.
William Hessian dot com
My personal art website, www.williamhessian.com will soon host a section to display a gallery of portraits I have done over the years. I am waiting until I have enough to fill a solid online gallery of works. I do slightly fear becomming just a portrait artist and never having time for my own works, however this is easily combated by simply altering my asking price.
Next commission
My next commission is a small work with a business tie theme. Following that commission is aseries of four small kitties, in the style of my bearded bunnies. both projects will be featured here.
Three New Bearded Bunny Balls!
Fred
A halloween influenced bunny ball.
Red
Bright red with a bow tie to boot.
Kitana
Two kitanas actually. One very dangerous bearded bunny.
Bearded Bunny Balls
This batch adds to my current collection of bearded bunny balls, and part of a blog project called: The Bearded Bunny Ball Blog Project. The project pits my strategy to create and sell bunny prints online. I am also using it to pit Ebay vs. Etsy in a sell off. You can find all this information in the BBBBproject link.
New Etsy Auctions
Ebay had its chance to sell my bunnies and now the remaining bunnies, including the brand new bunnies are hopping over to Etsy. See the new Etsy Bearded Bunny Sales.
ROBOT vs ZOMBIES (work in progress)
WORK IN PROGRESS
This is a massive mixed media drawing that I am starting. I want to give an update of the drawing. The subject matter pits robots vs. zombies. Notice the appearence by Minnie at the top right.
PART of a SERIES
I have been continually interested in the theme of robots and zombies. As you can tell by the name of my blog. I think the two make great enemies, as they are both human spin offs but very opposite. I plan to do a number of works based on this subject and will be posting them here as they are created.
You can now view the finished version of this drawing by clicking here.
The Ending was Lame (No Country for Old Men - movie review)
No Country for Old Men
The Cohen brothers are back at it with another challenging film No Country for Old Men. This movies features a baron landscape in the Rio Grande, where a drug deal gone wrong leaves the protagonist Llewelyn Moss (played by Josh Brolin) to pry a suitcase of money from the cold dead hands of the suposed lone survivor. Of course, it becomes a rat race as a killer Anton Chigurh "sugar"(played by Javier Bardem), and the mexican mafia hunt him down. I love the Cohen brothers' character names in this film.
The Ending (No Spoilers)
I am going to delicately tip toe verbally around this subject, and my main source of dissapointment in this film: the ending. I will not give away any crutial storyline, because I hate when I read a review that ruins my own experience. If you've already seent he movie, you will know what I am talking about and if not, you'll get the jist of what is causing me to groan.
I seriously can bet that a good number of the packed audience that was in attendence to see this movie with me also was daydreaming or not paying attention when the credits hit the screen. I was somewhat shocked and felt I may have missed an some juicy verbal conclusion. The movie ends with what feels like a lack of the last chapter, no real resoultion. I was daydreaming about how the movie, given its unpredictable nature up to that point, was going to wrap up. Before I was done making my guess, the movie was rolling credits.
Swimming Pitbull Chase
No Country for Old Men had suspense up the ass. I would compare it to a hitchcock movie in terms of repeated suspense that grows and grows. The sound effect, lack of a soundtrack, cinematography, acting, timing and screen composition were used very effectively to keep me on the edge of my seat. The violence was a bit extreme at times, but far more realistic than any action movie. The swimming pitbull scene was something I loved seeing, as it was very visually appealling and fun to watch.
The Cohen Brothers
Keep in mind this is not a comedy. If you enjoyed their previous work you should indeed see the masterful job they do in creating an effective suspensful action flick. The movie is good enough that I would suggest it to anyone open to new directions in film, as long as they can handle some violence and gore. I do feel the Cohen's play with audience more than most directors, and in this case the effort was worth it, despite the lackluster ending (which was definately a bold and unusual choice). I do respect their fearlessness, and therefore even though the end was not my cup of tea this is my favorite of the Cohen Brothers movies.
No Country for Old Men- Rating: 8 out of 10 (10 being the best)
How it stacks up:
The Big Lebowski 7 out of 10
O Brother Where Art Thou 7 out of 10
Barton Fink 6.5 out of 10
Into the Wild (movie review)
Why this Movie is Amazing
Into the Wild deals with tough issues like parenthood, the silver spoon effect, societies expectations, truth, faith, religion, love, spirituality, lonliness and individuality. The writing and storytelling is crafted in such a way to keep the story compelling til the end. The balance of flashbacks is delicately done with much respect to the pacing of the story. Kudos to Sean Penn and his team for the great work.
Falling into the Extreme
Into the Wild exemplifies a young mans', Christopher McCandless, struggles to contradict societies norm of being trapped in jobs, struggling to make money and own needless objects. 'Supertramp', as he nicknames himself during his voyage, disappears into the world after burning his money and deserting his car in the desert. Eventually he makes his way to Alaska and lives among the animals in a fascinating look at throwing away everything you know and own, to find true beauty in the nature around us. His statement is bold as he faces many dangers. It is never a question of whether or not he goes too far, the question is how far on the other spectrum are we?
Phenomenal Acting
Emile Hirsh gave a very impressive performance, and the rest of the cast was simply superb. I have rarely ever been so excited to see side characters appear and reappaer in a movie in a long time. Their minimal but very poignant time on screen was never wasted. Jena Malone (Donny Darko) and Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich)were very well casted and fun to see. While Brian Dierker (first time on-screen actor) was the most savory character for me, and Hal Holbrook stole the show with his heartbreaking portrait of Supertramps' newfound friend.
Voluntary Migration
Another reason this movie effected me so much, was because the protagonist's desire to be free and experience new places and new things is something I very much desire to do myself. Forcing yourself out of your own confort zone to learn about the type of person you really are deep inside. It is the reason a year ago, I decided I would go on an Art Tour in July 2008.
Into 'Into the Wild'
See the movie, read the book and learn more about Christopher McCandless.
Visit http://www.intothewild.com/.
Into the Wild Rating: 9 out of 10
Dragon Fly Ninja Cycle -airbrush project
Work in Progess
Our newest project is our dragonfly bike. Here is our artist rendition of the project. We are now getting the parts of the motorcycle, and contacting the owner to get the design approved. The step following will be the selection of actual Xotic colors to appear on the bike.
Dragonfly Design
The ninja style bike has headlights that are similar to the eyes of an insect. The owner of the bike is Jay from Full Power Cycles here in Hopkins, Minnesota. When I met with him to take pictures, we discussed the idea of turning the bike into an insect.
Store Front
When the bike is finished and a success it will sit in the front window of Full Power Cycles' new shop opening this month. We have plans to use imagin' colors on the insect wings, which are similar to the House of Kolors cameleon paint which changes color in the light.
Billy and the Old Man Design
If you are unfamiliar with me and the reason I am doing an airbrushing project like this: I have started an airbrushing company with Pat Reese in Minneapolis, Minnesota called Billy and the Old Man Design. We custom paint motorcycles, goalie helmets, bodypainting, and just about anything else you can think of. We also do fine art, hold art shows, offer airbrushing classes, and sell Xotic paint and airbrushes. Check out the link for our website and gallery.
SLOBOT! Robot Toys by M.Heisler
SLOBOTS
Artist M.Heisler is a custom robot toy builder. His creations are a mix of modified toys, and custom build and painted parts. I am a huge fan of his creations and have been watching his works evolve. I have been a fan of the Japanese influenced Qee movement, which is basically a series of designer keychains which have evolved into larger sculptures, toys, bots, and artworks.
Slobots for SALE?
According to M. Heisler his creations are for sale (if not already sold). The slobots sell anywhere from 200- 400 dollars a peice and stand at approximately 8-12 inches. He also does commissioned works, which is a very exciting option for those looking for a custom toy robot that they have already dreamt of having. All available bots can be found on his website: http://www.mheisler.com/
How are they made?
Like most custom toy designers, or bot sculptors M. Heisler also handmakes all of his sculptures using polymer clays, found objects, the bot above even uses working LED lights, and other bits and pieces.
See more of his work:
http://www.slobots.com/
http://www.mheisler.com/
WWII: Airbrushing Project (WIP)
Work in Progress
This project is the middle point of my current airbrushing project. The theme is WWII and features F-14 and the Japanese Zero planes. Up to this point the art has been created with pearline white, over a dark purple basecoat. Details were added with a micron black pen.
The Next Step
Once this step is complete a dark purple candy will coat the entire area and add depth to the work. The idea is to give the effect of a night scene. Over the curves of the mock car different parts of the planes will be visable depending on which way you turn the plastic car shape. Then explosions will be added down below in orange and yellow candies for emphasis.
Part of something much larger
Like many projects I do, this is a sample to test out ideas. The end result of this project will be translated over to the body of a Harley motorcycle which will have an overall WWII theme.
Billy and the Old Man Design
If you are unfamiliar with me and the reason I am doing an airbrushing project like this: I have started an airbrushing company with Pat Reese in Minneapolis, Minnesota called Billy and the Old Man Design. We custom paint motorcycles, goalie helmets, bodypainting, and just about anything else you can think of. We also do fine art, hold art shows, offer airbrushing classes, and sell Xotic paint and airbrushes. Check out the link for our website and gallery.
weird monsters (.com)
Weird Monsters (.com)
Justin, a music producer is the owner and creators of weird monsters. The blog features artist submitted monsters, featured on his blog and linked to the artist's website. Artist Kevin McLaughlin created the weird monster seen above, and is among a number of interesting artist who have submitted to this blog. The site has been around since June 2007 and updates with a new monster 2-3 times a week.
Submit Your Weird Monster
If you are an artist, or have a good idea for a crazy weird monster to submit I suggest heading over to weird monsters and submit. It looks like all suitable submissions will eventually make the blog.
My Monster
I am currently sketching out a few ideas for my very own weird monster which I will be submitting to the blog upon completion. Once I have created my monster I will surely update the results of my monster.
Weird Monsters
Bearded Bunny Balls: FOR SALE
Choose Your Own
New addition to my bearded bunny project. A choose your own Bearded Bunny Digital Prints for Sale. This is phase two of my online sale of my bearded bunnies. This week will feature my ebay portion.
Etsy Vs Ebay
1 bunny was sold on etsy.com, making the current race as follows:
Ebay: -2.25 cents (listing fee)
Etsy: 11.40 cents (12.00 - 0.60 listing fee)
Current Ebay Listing Fees
3.75 X 2 = $7.50
Since I am listing multiples this time around the fees are much more substantial. However, the gallery fee and image fee was reduced due to a special promotion. I need to sell two bunnies to make back the listing fee. Although, I will have the option to relist for a reduced price, once my seven days are up.
Tell Yours Friends
Help spread the word about the bearded bunnies for sale. That would be much appreciated. Even just let them know about my etsy vs ebay competition and have them stop by to see the progress.
Cats Will Eat You (.com)
New Art Every Day
Artist Matt Semke (www.catswilleatyou.com) seen above with Panda mask on, has created an impressive online portfolio for his work. Since December 2006 he has posted new content to his website every single day. Posts include pen drawings, paintings, graphic design, photos, videos, animations and walk through videos.
New Works
Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota Semke is a very prolific artist who is worth watch on a day to day basis. Some of his most impressive works include the blue heron project, and his free art hunts. Currently, he is posting works that are on display at the Acoustic Cafe in Winona, Minnesota. The works include semi cartoony office characters paying with or interacting with job related object.
Live Model Drawings
Matt Semke also has a strong focus in figure work, as seen below, and is involved in (on average) two life drawings sessions per week. Check out his website and explore the mass amounts of content, return back and see his newest works, added daily!
Darjeeling Limited: movie review
Wes Anderson's Darjeeling Limited
Wes does not stray too far from his pattern here. Darjeeling Limited is another example of creating quirky familiar characters, with actors we all know and love, and setting up a beautiful backdrop in India for them to run amuck in. I need to mention off the bat, that even I am critical here, that I am a big fan of Wes Anderson's work to date. Especially, Royal Tennenbuams and Bottle Rocket.
Slow Motion to Boredom
I am being a little over extreme here, however, all Wes Anderson movies lately, seem to over use slow motion scenes. I will admit each one was beautiful on its own visually, but as far as advancing or improving the story it is simply too much slow motion. It also seems to me, that slow motion is normally supposed to highlight an important moment, and the moments Wes selects to slow mo the Darjeeling Limited seems relatively unimportant.
Re-Used Characters
Another problem with Wes Anderson movies for me is these repeated characters. Always white, flawed, rich, longing for family or fatherly love and acceptance, quirky. It may also have something to do with this repeating cast of actors that appears in his movies (all of which i like). Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jason Swartzman and many others. When you see the same actors playing similar, but not exactly the same, roles it really starts to become hard to accept them as anything but the characters you've seen them in past movies like Life Aquatic, Royal Tennenbaums ect.
India
The art direction, composition, color were all the best thing in this movie. By far worth seeing just for that. India was a great setting. It was vibrant, unique and refreshing.
Attention to Detail
I have always been impressed with the attention to detail in Wes Anderson's films. The oddball luggage and decals on trains were just two of hundreds of really interesting touches of details to look at in this movie.
Overall
I thought the performances were good. The art direction was superb. The story was subpar and predictably uninteresting. I laughed a few times, but not consistently. Therefore I give this movie a 7.5 out of 10. Just for rating reference, here are my other ratings on Wes Anderson films:
Life Aquatic: 6.5
Royal Tennebuams: 9
Bottle Rocket: 9
Rating 7.5 (out of 10)
10 being the best
My Top 5 Halloween Movies
5. Tremors
Yeah. Laugh all you want, but graboids and Kevin Bacon in tight pants is enough to scare anyone. I'll never forget when I was little, my brother and me, climbing on the furniture avoiding the ground at all costs. Those tremors are scary!
4. It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
An all-time classic. This animated video has grown to have a huge place in my heart. Maybe its because Minneapolis puts those Charlie Brown and Snoopy statues all over the place.
3. Nightmare Before Christmas
This is one of the best stop motion movies of all time. Possibly THE greatest. It's the best Tim Burton movie ever made followed closely by Edward Scissor Hands. Jack Skellington is the greatest modern protagonist since Peter Pan.
2. Donny Darko
This movie is offbeat, creepy, and moody. Something about the bloody undertones contrasted with the very realistic haazy world we live in, makes this my number 2 best halloween movie.
1. E.T
I have never been able to get over the effect this movie had and still has on me. I grew up looking up to Eliot, then feeling the concerns and the heroics of the older brother, and now being able to be effected by the movie from a parental stand-point. The halloween creepiness is there, the costumes and Star Wars references are a big plus, and E.T. is just too damn cute.
Note: Just because Drew Barrymore was in the #1 and #2 movies does not mean I like her. In fact, I'm not even a Drew Barrymore fan.
Note #2: The pumpkin at the top, I carved myself. So, I'm gloating in the footnotes.
Note #3: While I am gloating, I'd like to also mention that I won our Halloween Mini Carrot stuffing contest. Waldo likes his carrots.
Bee Movie: REVIEW
Sneak Preview
Last night a got to witness the sneak preview of the Bee Movie. Starring Jerry Seinfeld as an animated bee who has to doom, and then save the world! If you do not attend sneak previews there is this odd moment before each movie, especially odd when the theatre is filled with kids, when this huge guy steps up before the movie and in a very scary voice threatens anyone who attempts to record the movie with any digital device resembling anything that could in anyway capture the film on video, that they will be thrown out and prosecuted. Apparently they had three secret viewers hidden in the audience to watch over fellow movie goers to make sure audience members are not recording the movie for future profit. All the little kids in their black and yellow striped outfits looked terrified. Even I was; terrified; but I was not also dressed in black and yellow stripes.
Jerry Seinfeld
I have seen Seinfeld live in Minneapolis doing stand up, this was in 2002 shortly after his sitcom Seinfeld went off the air and he decided to never do old material again. He was great. I've enjoyed his show, the documentary Comedian, and his stand-up, and would consider myself a fan of his work. I was excited to see the Bee Movie.
BEEn there BEEfore
The storyline had some good undertones of serious problems; our dependance on bees, food shortages, corporations, cruelty to animals, etc. However, the characters were all stock characters and did not have much depth to them. The story was extremely predictable. Granted, that should be expected in an animated movie, but it left the story feeling very dry. Despite being a cute and quirky adventure, it really has no lasting effect. Honey on your fingers has a more lasting effect than this movie.
Cast
The cast is extremely impressive, with names like Oprah Winfrey, Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, Kathy Bates, Chris Rock and the list goes on and on. My personal favorite Patrick Warburton aka David Putty (seinfeld), although i was not impressed with his lackluster over the top character.
Animation
One of my biggest praises comes from the animation in Bee Movie. The film looked amazing. I really enjoyed the animated faces of the main characters, especially Barry B. Benson's cute face, and most of the bees. Really impressive stuff. Also my favorite part of the movie was indeed the part when Barry gets out of the hive and sees the park for the first time, while flying through a field of kites. This sequence was phenomenal visually.
Closing Credits
I also just recently saw the animated movie Ratatouille. Both movies feature these cookie cutter Pink Panther-esque closing credits. I found both of them very unimaginative and needlessly contrasting to the rest of the film stylistically. I would much prefer credits along the lines of Shrek, in which there is benefit or addition to the story in the credits. At the very least stay consistent to the rest of the movie.
Overall
Despite the my criticism, I laughed a dozen times (mostly when others were not) and found the movie to go by quickly. I enjoyed the animation and thought some scenes were stunningly beautiful. I hope it convinces a number of kids to BEE nicer to insects. Because, if nothing else, that is a good thing to take away from this movie. Respect. Therefore I rate this movie a 7.5 out of 10.
Rating: 7.5 (out of 10)
One being the worst, Ten being the best
HALLOWEEN: Waldo Hidden at Mall of America
Happy Halloween
Waldo & Walda hidden at Mall of America. Props to Martin Handford the creator of Waldo, what ever happened to him anyways? I searched his name and he seems to have dropped out of the public eye. I want to know what he is doing. I idolized him as a child. Until I found out he didn't actually draw that small, he simply resized his images. My boyhood red & white striped dreams were crushed.
Photoshop
Pardon the choppy photoshopping. I need more practice & more patience. I need a wacom tablet and some other tools to help me in my photoshop ventures.
Where's Waldo
Check out the image and try to find Waldo & Walda. Click the image to view larger.
Scrolls
If you enjoy the image let us know, we may venture out to other crowded locales to bring you more waldo adventures.
NANO Smurfs: the smallest smurfs in the world
Finally, I have finished creating my collection of Nano Smurfs. You could fit approximately 20 thousand of these miniature smurf on the head of a pin. I have only created 12 hand crafted super miniature smurf characters so far. This is a major tribute to my favorite of all Hanna-Barbara's cartoons.
Notice: Greedy Smurf's small collection of cakes, and Smurfettes red shoes.
Hope you enjoyed my collection of Nano Smurfs. Please check back for more miniature artworks. Also check out: http://www.williamhessian.com/ for more of my artwork.
An Artists' Hidden Fort in the Mall
Creature Illustrations
Hessian Illustrations
Boasting a variety of interesting creatures created with ink, watercolor & marker. Often times ranging on the bizarre. Creatures like Octopus Kitty Angel's, Lym Dragons, Thumper and Masked Hornets. More can be seen at: williamhessian.com.
Origins
Many of the creatures desgined stem from a series of projects based around a fantasy world. Including a grahpic novel, video game, card game, and series of novels about this fantastical world of creatures and mystery.
Custom Creatures
The artist, William Hessian, also sells the original creature drawings for $25. You can select or suggest a creature which he will then hand-draw and mail to the interested party. If unspecified or in need of a suprise, he will also send a creature to you at random if desired. E-mail the artist at: william.hessian@gmail.com
Future Creatures
Plans for future creature include a series of more mature themed monsters and in balance with those are a series of cute and cuddly creatures as well. Keep tunes into these creatures and the fantasy world they belong in at: williamhessian.com.
Westwood Hills Nature Center (picture blog)
Enjoy and please see our other PGR ratings here
Park: Westwood Hills Nature Center
Description: Both Kelsey and myself had been to this nature center over ten times in our childhood through the SLP school systems filed trips. The nature center has amazing wooded trails and even some floating dock trails. The paths lead around a very clean and animal filled lake. The staff was working overtime because it was a beautiful day outside, and they were planning a childrens Halloween party for later that night. So the beginning of our visit we checked out all the nature/halloween oriented games they were setting up.
Location: St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Date: Saturday, October 20th 2007
Time at Park: one hour
Treasures found: none
Treasures Left: 1
We did not find any treasures on our hike but we did hide one. One of my bearded bunny prints can be found in the image above. We searched all the trails of the nature center to find a spot that would keep the hidden art from the dangers of nature. Also see the close up below.
A fitting spot indeed.
Garbage Per Hour (GPH): 2
The nature center was incredibly clean. It was very hard to even find the two pieces of garbage that we did find, one was hidden in a stump and the other under leaves. The Westwood Nature Center should be commended for its incredible cleanliness. We also were very impressed with the clear water in the lake.
Westwood Hills Nature Center GPH: 2 (the best so far)